Having swept the rhododendrons for Kiwi secret agents and checked their breakfast cereal for bugs, England yesterday named an unchanged side to face New Zealand on Saturday.

Charlie Hodgson remains confident he will recover from a slight groin strain, leaving the head coach Andy Robinson ample time to rebut Graham Henry's claims that undercover personnel were sent to spy on the All Blacks this week.

There was no camouflaging Robinson's irritation at allegations the English camp were responsible for the two secretive men dressed in military fatigues found hiding in the bushes during a New Zealand training session and he responded bullishly yesterday.

As far as Robinson is concerned, Henry is simply trying to wind up England - who had security guards on the look-out for any uninvited guests themselves yesterday - and deflect attention away from other issues, not least the blocking tactics employed by the artful All Black midfield.

"Neither us nor the RFU are involved in any espionage or undercover activity and we totally refute these allegations," insisted Robinson, detecting more than a hint of mischief in Henry's protestations.

"I think he has been trying to wind us up and of course it annoys me. We've already got a lot of footage, mostly of them playing very well." Robinson, though, is serious in demanding the Irish referee Alan Lewis pay attention to three key areas where he believes New Zealand are pulling a fast one.

"We want the scrum refereed legally because New Zealand do like to walk around a bit and a lot of eyes will be also needed around the tackle area to make sure people are not taken out off the ball. Thirdly, there are the blockers in front of their runners who create holes for other people. "I think it's very subtle but it's happening with regularity."

Sir Clive Woodward, it will be recalled, made exactly the same complaint about illegal blocking runners three years ago following New Zealand's last visit to Twickenham when England won a breathless game 31-28.

There are obvious advantages for England if the All Blacks have to amend their plans slightly but Robinson is aware the contest will only be won if they match their opponents physically.

"Rugby is played right on the edge and this is going to be a huge physical game. They really try to bully their opponents. Sometimes it's legal, sometimes it's illegal.

"We've got to stand toe to toe with them and make sure we're streetwise in the way we compete. I think we have the power runners to put pressure on New Zealand.

"Then it's about the urgency of support to really smash and blast that contact area. This is the biggest challenge England have faced since I've been involved. I think we understand what we've got to do to win but it is a huge test."

Hodgson insists there is no danger of him missing the big game. "He ran today for the first time, will train on Friday and he'll be fit for Saturday," said Robinson, fully aware England need every single attacking weapon at their disposal.

New Zealand's centre Ma'a Nonu has been cleared by the International Rugby Board for a dangerous tackle on Ireland's Gordon D'Arcy in the match at Lansdowne Road last Saturday.